Device for launching ring life buoys



S. E. HANSEN.

DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING RING LIFE BUOYS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1922.

l 23,56 1 o Patented. July 25, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

S. E. HANSEN.

DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING RING LIFE BUOYS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.251 1922.

1 ,423,56 1 Patented July 25, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I (3.51% arise.

attorney SOFU 'S E. HANSEN, OF SEATTLE, NASHINGTON.

DEVICE FOR LAUNCI-IING RING LIFE BUOYS.

tAltl fifil.

Application filed March 25,

, ing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved means for supporting and launching life buoys of the ring type from a ship.

The invention comprehends a support which may be conveniently attached to any appropriate part. of the ship and in which ring li't'e buoy is conveniently supported and held in operative or discharge position by a lever adapted for hand manipulation. The support is so arranged that on appropriate movement of the lever, the life buoy is caused to roll down the inclined support and be efiectively discharged by gravity and the pull of the lever, the inclination of the support causing the life buoy to travel a considerable distance outwardly during its free movement, whereby the buoy is cast free of and at an appreciable distance from the side of the vessel.

The invention also comprehends the con1- bination with the lite buoy of the usual water light, whereby the position of the buoy in the water may be indicated by the light after the buoy is cast overboard. In the present construction, the light is so connected with the support and lever that in the movement of the lever to release the buoy, the sealing plug of the light is released and the light is ready for self-ignition on the initial admission of water thereto in the usual manner.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation, showing the wing houseot' a ships bridge with the device in operative position, the movement of the buoy and light following its initial release being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the support with the buoy in position.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a slightly modified form of support.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view, showing a means operative from the bridge for releasing a series of ring buoys located at difierent points on the vessel. V

The improved lite buoy support and dis- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1922.

1922. Serial No. 546,871.

charge means, in the preferred form, comprises a plate lilre section 1, adapted as by screws 2 for convenient connection at an appropriate part of the vessel. $ecured to and forming a part of the plate 1, is what may be termed a buoy support 8 comprising a metallic strip curved in transverse section to conform to the transverse curvature of the buoy 4. This support has an outer wall 5, which in its spaced relation to the plate 1, forms a guide-like member in which the ring buoy may be placed. The upper portion of the support conforms to the circumference of the buoy, while the lower portion constitutes a substantially straight tracklilie portion 6, which inclines downwardly and outwardly relative to the forward edge of the plate 1. in operating lever 7 is pivotally supported at 8 upon an upper extension of the plate 1, the upper portion of the lever above the pivotal support being in the form of an operating handle 9, adapted to be received and held in a spring clip 10 secured to or projecting from the plate 1. The lower portion of the lever is formed to present spaced substantially parallel arms 11 which when the ring buoy 4c is in proper position in the support, straddle the forward portion of the buoy and prevent its movement. A ring 12 is secured to the buoy as by cord or other connector 13, and one arm 11 of the lever 7 is adapted to loosely extend through this ring as shown in Fig. 1.

The plate 1 also includes an offset housing 14, in which is arranged and protectively housed, the usual water-light casing 15. Plug 16 ofthis casing, which has to be removed to permit the entrance of water for the self-ignition and burning of the light, is connected as at 17 to the end of the easing 14.

Obviously when need arises for the buoy any. authoritative person pulling upon the handle 9, starts the buoy from the housing and down the inclined way 6, the movement of the handle being continued until the travel of the buoy withdraws the ring 12 from the arm 11. In this movement of course, the buoy will travel downwardly and outwardly and therefore be projected a considerable distance from the side of the vessel. In the initial movement of the buoy under the pull of the handle, the plug from the water-light casing is removed so that as the casing falls into the water, it is open to admit the necessary Water for self-ignition and gas generation.

In 5, there is illustrated a means whereby one or more of the ring buoy supports may be operated at a considerable distance from the bridge. Under these conditions, the handle 9 of the lever 7 will be connected by a cable 18 passing beneath the pulley 19, carried by an arm 20 projecting from the plate 1, and each of these cables or any desired number connected together may be operated by an ordinary pull connection 21, located preferably on the bridge of the vessel. Thus the ofticer on the bridge, Whose duties are largely that of a lookout and control officer for the vessel, can release the buoy or buoys instantly by directly operating the handle 9 of the buoy support located on the bridge, as shown in Fig. 1, or by operating the appropriate pull handles 21 may release one or more buoys at remote parts of the ship. Obviously the provision of the remote operating means described does not interfere with the direct actuation of any one release means in any position. Thus, any one convenient to a particular buoy can operate the handle thereof and discharge the same over the side of the vessel. Whenever necessary,

Claims:

l. A ring buoy support including a housing for the buoy and an inclined trackway down Which the buoy travels when released, a housing forming part of the support and adapted to receive a Water-light casing, a device carried by the housing and adapted to be connected to a plug in said casing, and a lever adapted to exert a pull upon said casing when operated to release the.

BERT J. As'ron, W. J. FALKEB. 

